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VILLA ESCUDERO PLANTATION & RESORT

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An interesting two hour drive South from Metro Manila brings you to one of the Philippines most popular get aways, Villa Escudero, where Philippine culture and history comes to life.

Take a guided tour of the most famous "Escudero Private Museum" Housing one of the largest collections in the country, its unmatched in its diversity. Eclectic by design, the collection is made up of religious artifacts, silver alters, carrozas, Spanish galleon trade items, ceramics and Philippine dioramas.

Native bamboo rafts are available for guests to explore the scenic lake and better enjoy the views of Mount Banahaw and Cristobal. 

                           

Villa Escudero is a working coconut plantation founded in 1872. In 1980 the Escudero family opened the plantation to the general public. Since then Villa Escudero has developed a worldwide reputation as a focal point to experience Philippine culture and history in a beautiful rural setting.

A favorite of visitors and a most memorable experience is to enjoy a lunch featuring special Escudero family recipes at the Labasin Waterfall. Delight in the sparkling waterfall and lush tropical vegetation. Most diners opt to sit at tables placed directly in the stream and enjoy the cooling spring water flowing over their bare feet. 

The Escudero family mentors one of the Philippines most renowned ethnic dance troupes, string and maranao percussion bands.

Halina pasyal tayo!

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UGU BIGYAN's POTTERY GARDEN

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Augusto "Ugu" Bigyan is a ceramics artist.  Ugu produces dinnerware sets, decorative tiles and accent pieces for finishing walls and flooring. He enjoys great patronage from well-known individuals, up-scale hotels and posh resorts such as Amanpulo, Campo Travieza, Casa Patricia, El Nido, Hidden Valley and Villa Escudero.  His residence cum workshop is located at Lusacan, Tiaong, Quezon.

Ugo Bigyan’s art works are mostly the functional kind. One finds here plates made of soft stone and in the shape of leaves; glazed two-colored glasses; the enchanting wind chimes; bracelets made from clay; bowls of different sizes and colors but all with simple but exquisite designs. A simple candy receptacle or platito is adorned with twigs where perched ceramic butterflies or birds. Bestsellers prove to be the big tapestries, big jars, plates and dinner sets, and other stoneware. And there are many more. These functional pieces can actually serve as objet d’arts.

Bigyan’s house is actually a cluster of houses, which include the house he lives in, a showroom, a workshop and several huts. Bigyan’s main house was made from simple hollow blocks and coated with reddish terracotta. The front lawn was accentuated with a circular structure made of brick and equipped with throw pillows in woven buri cases, where family and friends can gather and chat, and at night, perhaps, create a bonfire. Another curious accent of the lawn was a rock, which was hollowed out and filled with water where little, floating quiapo plants grew. It was an innovative version of an outdoor potted plant. A winding pathways lead to other houses. The pathways themselves were interesting to look at. Some were made from cement and bricks with glazed, ceramic fishes served as accent. Others are made from old driftwood, which were actually pieces from knocked-down old houses, which Bigyan salvaged and gathered. Still another was made from bluish gravel strewn around with broad-leaf-shaped footsteps made from cement. These footsteps were cast from actual leaves. Actually most of his clay works with flower and leaf motifs are cast from actual flowers and leaves. Bigyan called it fossilizing. We saw one apprentice artisan meticulously impressing a hibisbus on one of the jars.

Anyway, these pathways lead to other houses. At the right of the terracotta house was another house that seemed to serve as workshop, storage and living quarter. And behind was the showroom, where Bigyan’s work were on display and were on sale. The two houses had a rugged look. Made of bricks and cement, they looked unfinished, at one aspect they could look like ruins if not for the newness of the houses. Not the unfinished look was intentionally and was somehow intriguing.

Aside from artistically displayed clayware, Ugu's workshop/showcase offers quaint huts with which one can relax and leisurely enjoy a lush garden trimmed with terracotta chimes, fountains and koi ponds.  Meals are served but must be arranged in advance.

A poster greets the guest with Bigyan’s quote: “Challenges drive me to survive and they make me stronger every time I work with clay.” Presumably, this serves as his motto in life and art.

Halina pasyal tayo!

SILANGANG NAYON PARK

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PAGBILAO, QUEZON It is presently tagged as the Power capital of Southern Tagalog being the site of the 700MW Mirant Philippines Coal Fired Thermal Plant. As such, commercial and business establishments have also set up shop in this municipality.

Pagbilao is a place of many promises. The possibilities are endless. Good quality times are definitely in store for you through the many tourist attractions that we have in store. Furthermore, business opportunities abound with the rich agriculture and trade. It is our aim to constitute Pagbilao as an enterprising component of the Philippines and as an eco-tourism spot for many.

TULAY MALAGONLONG, Tayabas Quezon
SIMBAHAN NG PAGBILAO
700MW Mirant Philippines Coal Fired Thermal Plant
SILANGANG NAYON PARK & RESTAURANT

TAGAYTAY CITY

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TAGAYTAY CITY is everyone's fantasy just an hour's drive away from the metro. Images are brought to life in Tagaytay: the riot of color in the sky with every sunrise and sunset. The green foliage of the mountains contrasted by the yellows, violets, and fuschias of wildflowers. The wide stretch of sky unhampered with smog. Taal Lake's shimmering, blue-green surface disturbed by quiant bancas (outrigger boats). Taal volcano's playful game of hide and seek in the mists. But the feel of the breeze's cold fingertips grazing one's nose and cheeks arousing
goosebumps on one's arms was something one's fantasy missed.

TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE
PEOPLES PARK IN THE SKY
STURBUCKS TAGAYTAY CITY

THE MANILA BAYWALK

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IF YOU'RE in Manila and needs a nice, inexpensive place to while away a late afternoon or an early evening and really enjoy it, try THE BAYWALK.

The Baywalk is actually the promenade along Roxas Boulevard by the Manila Bay.Now for Manila visitors from the provinces who don't have the means to splurge in the giant malls, classy resto bars and posh cafe's of Ortigas, Glorietta, Greenbelt and Rockwell in Makati, and the Eastwood in Libis, Baywalk is the best place to be.

After beautifying the place and making it safe for promenaders, the Baywalk started to teem with humanity--from 30,000 to 40,000 people on week days and three times as many on weekends and holidays--to view the world famous sunset by Manila Bay, savor the local and international cuisine served by about two dozens eateries, actually branches of Manila's big restaurants, and enjoy the music provided by live bands.

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PALAISDAAN SA TAYABAS

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KAMAYAN SA PALAISDAAN places where you can sit back, relax and enjoy, savoring in serenity of nature alone or with your family. It is a romantic place for sweet lovers and a private one for a loving family. Native designed function rooms for Cocktail parties, Conference, Wedding, Birthday and other Private Occasions.The food and services are both exemplary with courteous staff that wants only the best for its customers.

PALAISDAAN RESTAURANT gives you a therapeutic pleasure and never ending excitement, you can't really ask for more. Surely, you will feel the magic of its spell. So come and visit this   unique place and experience an exquisite taste of its freshly harvested sea food and delectable fine dining that impels one to really say: "It feels like home . . . and more."

HOTEL PONTEFINO

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Hotel PonteFino, the newest leisure boutique hotel in Batangas City, comes fully equipped with state-of the-art amenities to suit the needs of every guest. Recently opened December 2003, Hotel Pontefino redefines luxury, comfort and graciousness in service, elegance and style. Reflects all facets of a fine Filipino home. Come home to Hotel PonteFino.

http://www.pontefino.com.ph